PC MAKERS CONTINUE TO PUSH DVI INTERFACE STANDARD

Universal Studios, Microsoft and Intel and others are pushing Digital Visual Interface (DVI) with High-Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection (HDCP) as alternative to IEEE-1394, which was designed with DTCP developed by 5C group -- Hitachi, IBM, Intel, Panasonic, and Sony. HDCP is product of Digital Display Working Group (DDWG) consisting of Intel and others. HDCP-compliant silicon is expected to be available in July-Aug.

DVI is seen as best way to carry uncompressed high-definition pictures to a high-resolution display, but it’s one-way, point-to- point technology. It originally lacked audio support, although Silicon Image (SI) has developed new PanelLink A/V technology that supports embedded digital audio data within existing DVI. IEEE- 1394 is viewed as best-suited for recording and 2-way networking of compressed signals. Unlike DVI, it also allows devices such as set-top boxes (STBs), personal video recorders (PVRs) and DVD players to form instant network without need for switches. EchoStar, JVC and Scientific-Atlanta and others have showed DVI- equipped set-top boxes, D-VHS systems, projection TVs.

Key driver for DVI is its greater bandwith of 2-3 Gbps vs. 200-300 Mbps for IEEE-1394, difference that results in better rendering 1080i cinema-quality video, said Skip Pizzi, technical mgr. for worldwide TV standards & strategy at Microsoft. “Once you get beyond 480i, you're running into difficulty running a signal through 1394,” he said at NAB convention here this week. “The best solution would be to design an interface for that last connection [before content is delivered to display] that can generate uncompressed content, a broadband enough interface that can have all the decoding done upstream and then sent to the box in an uncompressed format.”

Support from Hollywood largely stems from fact that DVI doesn’t allow any recording and because volume of uncompressed signals that it handles makes it less prone to theft and illegal copying. Influence of Hollywood has been felt by hardware manufacturers. EchoStar has been reviewing DVI since last year and while DirecTV also is exploring issue, it recently asked Matsushita to strip IEEE-1394 connector from combination HD decoder/satellite receiver. Sony Pictures has agreed to take 5C license and was expected to sign pact by late April or early May, sources said. Among issues being finalized is procedure for dealing with possible perceived breaches of agreement so that “signal is not just turned off,” sources said. Sony Pictures spokeswoman declined comment.

“They [Sony and other studios] certainly want protection against retransmission over the Internet and they've been bringing in their broadcast divisions in recent weeks, which means they're deeper into the process,” source said. “They've been trying to figure out ways that use 5C or an extension thereof that offers that type of protection in some way.”

DVI issue also raises specter of manufacturers’ having to include DVI and IEEE-1394 interfaces on products, requirement that would add cost in low-margin CE business. “The last thing we want to do is add cost to a product, but if the service providers want it, I don’t see how we will have choice,” CE executive said. Sony and Mitsubishi have sought to force copy protection issue with studios by unveiling plans for IEEE-1394-equipped projection TVs containing 5C copy protection.

Notably low key at NAB was datacasting, which had high profile year ago. IVast said it had completed tests of datacasting service in 5 cities and was preparing for national commercial rollout later this year. But other deals unveiled last year failed to reach fruition. Alliance that formed around ATSC- sanctioned DTV Applications Software Environment (DASE) technology, which included Harris, NDS and Samsung, disbanded without meeting goal of having broadcasters implement service by end of 2000. Panasonic didn’t mention Digital Bcst. Resources venture it formed with Tiernan Communications and Synergistic Technologies last year and Geocast, whose investors included Philips, shut down earlier this year. “I think people are rethinking their approach to datacasting, but that technology still remains in most broadcasters’ plans,” CE executive said.

Nascent datacasting market could get boost from ATSC proposal to extend VSB transmission standard to make it more robust. Under proposals by Nxtwave Communications, Philips, Zenith and others, standard 19.4 Mbps HD data rate would be slowed to 14-15 Mbps as signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio decreases to 9.5-11 dB range from 15 dB. Extension, which is compatible with existing products, makes possible more robust data transmission and enhancement of reception. In demonstration of technology by Zenith, standard VSB timed out at 0.3 dB ghost signal, while enhanced version started to degrade at 0.1 dB. ATSC subcommittee is expected to chose “key” technologies in Aug.-Sept. for field test that probably will begin in Nov. with goal of implementing enhanced VSB by early 2002. It’s likely that ATSC subcommittee will consider combining technologies in approach similar to that with HDTV, sources said.

Major difference between Zenith and Nxtwave technologies appears to be claimed S/N ratio with former at 11 dB and latter at 9.5 dB. “At these levels, a couple of dB, if it’s real, is important,” Zenith Vp Wayne Luplow said. “It’s something that you have to be aware of, but are there trade-offs in compiled data rate or compatibility?” Nxtwave officials said no trade-offs were made to hit lower S/N.